The Government has been working with key stakeholders to develop its vision and principles for growing older in NSW from 2016 to 2020, and now they want your feedback, via an online survey. 

After reviewing the Government's Discussion Paper, it's clear they've taken the time to talk to the right people and get the language right. 

It's all about redefining ageing as a positive experience, giving people more choice and control over how they age, and addressing barriers to community participation. 

For me, this is spot on. We have a lot of work to do to shift negative perceptions of ageing, both here in NSW and nationally.

Contrary to popular belief, over 50s are not old, they're middle-aged.

Baby Boomers still have many years in which to live happy, fulfilled, active lives and contribute positively to our community and economy. 

There are over 2.3 million people aged over 50 in NSW and the government wants us all to experience the benefits of living for longer and enjoy opportunities to participate in, contribute to and be included in our communities. 

To realise this vision, the NSW Ageing Strategy will need to empower service providers and older people alike to co-design locally driven responses to opportunities and challenges. 

Redirecting government funding for services away from providers and towards consumers, educating consumers about their rights and responsibilities, reducing red tape, and encouraging new providers into the market are some of the ways we can achieve this. 

The National Aged Care Roadmap is a great example of how to transition highly regulated services liked aged care to a high performing, innovative and consumer-driven market, whilst maintaining government safety nets for vulnerable people. 

I am hopeful these same principles will be applied to government services here in NSW. The 2016 NSW Ageing Strategy will focus on five key priorities:

Both government agencies and service providers like IRT have many touch points across these priority areas.

I am pleased to see that public-private partnerships and whole-of-community collaboration are recognised as essential to the NSW Government's vision for Ageing in NSW. 

That's where you come in.

Finding your voice and having a say is one way you can help shape the future of our community.

I'm talking to all of you ... the Silent Generation, the Baby Boomers, Generation X and yes, the Millennials.

We all have a stake in how our state responds to the challenges and opportunities posed by a growing ageing population.

That over 50s cohort I mentioned earlier will increase to 3.3 million by 2031. 

I truly believe that if we work together to respond in creative ways, we can all prosper.

Go on, take your first step ... read the NSW Ageing Strategy Discussion Paper and have your say at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au 

- Nieves Murray is Chief Executive of IRT Group, one of Australia's largest community-based providers of seniors' Lifestyle & Care solutions